Bottle with retained ring finish feature

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a bottle neck finish and a tamper resistant bottle cap that satisfy the need to retain the ratchet ring in place after the bottle cap has been removed from the bottle. Specifically, the present inventions incorporate features onto one or both of a bottle neck and a threaded cap having a frangibly connected ratchet ring. In one embodiment of the present invention, the claimed features create frictional engagement between the ratchet ring and the bottle neck. The frictional resistance effectively prevents the ratchet ring from falling off the bottle neck when the user pours the contents of the bottle. In another embodiment, the claimed features create an interference between the ratchet ring and the bottle neck. The interference prevents the ratchet ring from falling off the bottle neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to containers with closure devices, and inparticular, relates to the neck finish of a blow molded bottle adaptedfor use with a cap having a ratchet ring. The neck is formed with atleast one projection for retaining the ratchet ring when the cap isremoved. In the alternative, this invention relates to a ratchet ringfor a screw cap adapted to engage with the neck of a blow molded bottleto prevent the ratchet ring from falling off of the bottle when thecontents are poured.

Blow molded bottles have been used in conjunction with injection moldedcaps for many years. Generally, two types of bottle caps are availablefor blow molded bottles, push-on caps and thread-on caps. Push-on capsare installed by aligning the cap with the opening of a bottle andsimply applying an axial force to the top of the cap. Thread-on capsgenerally require that the cap and bottle be aligned and that a rotativeforce be applied to the cap.

There are generally two types of thread-on caps, both have ringsdepending from the cap, but the ring in one type is offset from the cap;i.e. the ring has a larger diameter than the cap. With this type ofdesign the ring is offset from the cap, allowing the ring and frangibleconnections to be molded with a two plate mold. Conversely, the otherdesign of threaded caps must be molded with side action, which is a muchmore complex process with moving parts. This invention generally relatesto thread-on caps with offset rings.

One of the problems associated with those types of injection molded capsrelates to the tamper-evident connection which must be created betweenthe bottle cap and bottle. One method of forming that tamper-evidentconnection is to use an offset ring having ratchet teeth; i.e. a ratchetring. The ratchet ring has internal teeth for engagement with the bottleneck, which has external teeth. When the bottle cap is screwed on thebottle neck, the ratchet teeth of the bottle cap ride over the matingratchet teeth on the bottle neck, thereby enabling the bottle cap to befully tightened on the bottle neck. However, when a user attempts tounscrew the bottle cap using low-to-medium twisting force, the ratchetteeth of the bottle cap positively engage the mating ratchet teeth ofthe bottle neck, thereby preventing unthreading and unsealing of thecap. When higher levels of twisting force are applied to the bottle capin the direction of unscrewing, the ratchet ring breaks away from thebottle cap and the bottle cap may be unscrewed from the bottle neck. Inthis manner, breakage of the connection between the ratchet ring and thebottle cap serves as visual evidence that the bottle has been opened.

While the use of a bottle neck with ratchet teeth in combination with abottle cap having a tamper evidencing ring provides for an acceptabletamper-evident connection, this combination does have its limitations.After removing the cap for the first time, effectively breaking thefrangible connection between the cap and the ratchet ring, userssometimes forget to remove the ratchet ring from the bottle neck beforepouring the contents into a glass. Subsequently, the ratchet ring willfall into the user's glass when the contents are poured. With respect tosingle use bottles which users drink from directly, the ratchet ringwill fall into the user's face when they attempt to take a sip from thebottle. Such results are undesirable for convenience of use and hygienicreasons.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved neck finishwhich is adapted to retain the ratchet ring in place on the bottle neckwhen the user pours the contents after removing the cap. There is afurther need for an improved ratchet ring which is adapted to holditself in place on the bottle neck when the user pours the contentsafter removing the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bottle neck finish and a tamperresistant bottle cap that satisfy the need to retain the ratchet ring inplace after the bottle cap has been removed from the bottle.Specifically, the present inventions incorporate features onto one orboth of a bottle neck and a threaded cap having a frangibly connectedratchet ring. In one embodiment of the present invention, the claimedfeatures create frictional engagement between the ratchet ring and thebottle neck. The frictional resistance effectively prevents the ratchetring from falling off the bottle neck when the user pours the contentsof the bottle. In another embodiment, the claimed features create aninterference between the ratchet ring and the bottle neck. Theinterference prevents the ratchet ring from falling off the bottle neck.

Although not necessary, it is generally preferred that the ratchet ringbe easily removed by the user. Spilled liquids such as milk can drybetween the ratchet ring and the bottle neck to form unsightly crustwhich could fall into the user's glass upon the next use. Thus, inmulti-use bottles, it is advantageous for the user to be able to removethe ratchet ring to prevent crust build-up. In contrast, it may bebeneficial to have a stronger engagement between the bottle neck and theratchet ring for single use applications. Single use bottles aregenerally used while on-the-go and away from home where garbage cans arenot always readily available. Thus, if the ratchet ring were easilyremoved on a single use bottles, users would be more likely toimproperly dispose of the ratchet ring.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, features areincorporated into a bottle neck finish. The bottle neck of the presentinvention is preferably adapted for use with standard bottles capshaving standard ratchet rings, although the present invention is notlimited as such. The bottle neck generally includes an opening at itsupper end for pouring of contents, a generally cylindrical exteriorsurface having threads for retaining a bottle cap, a circumferentialratchet portion below the threads, and a circumferential transfer ringbelow the ratchet portion. The ratchet portion includes ratchet teethwhich are capable of meshing with a matching set of ratchet teeth on abottle cap. The bottle neck of the present invention also includes aprojection which is adapted to engage the ratchet ring of the bottlecap. The projection can be adapted to engage the ratchet ring byfriction and/or interference.

To engage the ratchet ring by friction, the projection contacts an innersurface of the ratchet ring when the bottle cap is fully threaded ontothe bottle neck. The contact point between the projection and theratchet ring can occur at any inner surface of the ratchet ring,including the peaks of the ratchet teeth or the valleys between adjacentratchet teeth. This contact biases the ratchet ring outward to inducetension in the ratchet ring, providing a tight fit between the ratchetring and the bottle neck. The tight fit creates frictional engagementbetween the ratchet ring and the bottle neck, preventing the ratchetring from falling off of the bottle when the contents are poured. Toengage the ratchet ring by interference, the projection contacts anupwardly facing surface of the ratchet ring when the ratchet ring movesaxially on the bottle neck, effectively preventing the ratchet ring fromfalling off of the bottle neck.

In a second embodiment, the projection of the present invention isformed on the ratchet ring. In a similar fashion as above, theprojection can be adapted to engage the bottle neck by friction and/orinterference. To engage the bottle neck by friction, the projectioncontacts any outer surface of the bottle neck. To engage the bottle neckby interference, it may be necessary to form a corresponding feature onthe bottle neck to allow for the interference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, objects, and advantages of theinventions described and claimed herein will be become better understoodupon consideration of the following detailed description, appendedclaims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bottle cap and bottle neckmade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bottle neck with the cap removed and theratchet ring held in place;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottle neck;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bottle neck with a partial cut-away showingthe cross section of the bottle neck and a standard cap;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottle neck with a partial cut-away showingthe cross section of the bottle neck and a first embodiment of amodified cap;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of a modified cap a partialcut-away showing the inside surface of the bottle cap' and

FIG. 7 is a top view of a bottle neck with the second embodiment of amodified cap installed.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols,phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details which are not necessary for an understandingof the inventions described and claimed herein or which render otherdetails difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should beunderstood, of course, that the inventions described herein are notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar partsfrom Figure to Figure in the following description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 generally depicts a preferred embodiment of the bottle neck 14 ofthe present invention that is adapted for use with a standard bottle cap2 having a ratchet ring 8. A standard bottle cap 2 having a ratchet ring8 is described herein, although the bottle neck 14 of the presentinvention is not limited to use with such cap. The bottle cap 2 shown inFIG. 1 has a circular cover 4, a skirt 6 depending from the peripheraledge 5 of the cap, and a ratchet ring 8 which is frangibly attachedbelow the skirt 6. The bottle cap 2 has at least one thread on theinside surface of the depending skirt 6, for engagement withcorresponding threads 22 on the bottle neck. The ratchet ring 8 includesa plurality of ratchet teeth 12, every other one of which are frangiblyattached to a plurality of semi-circular outwardly directed tabs 10which are equally spaced around the periphery of the skirt 6. Forfurther details regarding the bottle cap 2, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,701which is incorporated herein by reference.

The bottle neck 14 of the present invention is generally positioned atthe top of the body 32 of a blow-molded bottle 34 and is formed of agenerally cylindrical exterior surface 20. At the top edge of theexterior surface 20 is a lip 18 which defines an opening 16. The lip 18is generally inwardly directed to form a sealing surface for sealingwith the bottle cap 2. A liner, while not shown, may be placed betweenthe cap 2 and lip 18 for purposes such as to enhance sealing of thebottle or to provide a second level of tamper-evidency. The exteriorsurface 20 includes at least one, and preferably four, threads 22 whichengage threads on the inside surface of the cap skirt 6.

The bottle neck 14 further includes at least one, and preferably two,ratchet portions 24 having at least one, and preferably a plurality ofratchet teeth 26. The two ratchet portions 24 are located diametricallyopposite each other on the exterior surface 20 below the threads 22. Thebottle neck 14 includes at least one projection 28 for engagement withthe ratchet ring 8. The bottle neck 14 also includes a circumferential“bumper roll” or transfer ring 30 located below the ratchet portions 24and projections 28 to facilitate gripping the bottle during the fillingoperation and grabbing the bottle during the loading of the bottle intoa shipping container.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the bottle neck 14 is shown infrictional engagement with the ratchet ring 8 with the bottle cap 2removed. FIG. 2 shows best how the ratchet ring 8 engages with theexternal ratchet teeth 26 of the bottle neck 14. The ratchet ring 8,being preferably made of low density plastic, is flexible enough suchthat the internal teeth 12 ride over the external teeth 26 whenclockwise force is applied to the ratchet ring 8. However, whencounter-clockwise force is applied the ratchet ring 8, the peaks 9 ofthe internal teeth 12 positively engage with the external teeth 26effectively preventing rotation of the ratchet ring 8. FIG. 2 alsodemonstrates the frictional engagement of the present invention. Theprojections 28 extend outwardly from the external surface 20 and contacta portion of the inside surface 11 of the ratchet ring 8. In thepreferred embodiment, the projection 28 is formed as an elongated lipwhich contacts at least one, and preferably a plurality of internalteeth 12 at the tips 9, although the invention is not limited as such.For example, the projection 28 could be short and thus engage the insidesurface 11 of the ratchet ring 8 between adjacent teeth 12.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a side view of the preferred bottle neck 14 isshown. The external surface 20 of the bottle neck is shown to begenerally cylindrical in shape with a generally flat step 36 formedbelow the threads 22. Preferably, the projection 28 and the ratchetportions 24 are formed on the stepped out portion 38 of the externalsurface 20. As shown in FIG. 4, a partial cut-away view of the bottleneck, the cross-section of the projection 28 is preferably triangular inshape, with the top surface 40 of the projection 28 generally parallelto and extending from the step 36. In an alternate embodiment, theprojection 28 may have a chamfered top surface 40 to facilitateapplication of the bottle cap 2 to the bottle neck 14.

FIG. 4 also demonstrates the frictional engagement between the bottleneck 14 and the ratchet ring 8. The projection 28 is shown contactingthe tip 9 of an external tooth 12 forcing the ratchet ring 8 outwardlyaway from the bottle neck 14 and inducing normal forces between thecontacting surfaces of the ratchet ring 8 and projection 28. When a userattempts to pour the contents of the bottle 34, the gravitational forceon the ratchet ring 8 is not sufficient to exceed the static frictionalforce, preventing the ring 8 from falling off of the bottle neck 14.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the interference engagement between the bottle neckand the ratchet ring 8. When a bottle cap 2 having a ratchet ring 8 isapplied to the bottle neck, the projection 28 is positioned between thebottle cap 2 and the ratchet ring 8. When the contents of the bottle 34are poured, gravitational forces cause the ratchet ring 8 to moveaxially along the bottle neck 14. However, the projection 28 preventsthe ratchet ring 8 from falling off by contacting an upper surface ofthe ratchet ring 42.

It may be necessary to modify the standard cap 2 described herein toallow for an interference engagement between the bottle neck 14 andratchet ring 8. The ratchet ring 8 of the standard cap 2 is generallyplaced nearly flush against the bottom edge 44 of the cap 2, as shown inFIG. 4. Such flush placement of the ratchet ring 8 would prevent theprojection from extending between the cap 2 and the ring 8. Accordingly,in a first embodiment to the modified cap 2, as shown in FIG. 5,elongated frangible connections 46 are utilized to increase the gapbetween the ratchet ring 8 and the bottle cap 2. Whereas the prior artconnections extend between the outwardly extending tabs and the internalratchet teeth 12, the frangible connections 46 of the present inventionpreferably extend between the outwardly extending tabs 10 and the uppersurface 42 of the ratchet ring at approximately the interface 48 betweenthe internal teeth 12 and the ratchet ring band 50. The frangibleconnection 46 must be moved outwardly to prevent interference betweenthe frangible connection 46 and the projection 28 when the cap 2 isapplied to the bottle neck 14.

A second embodiment of the modified bottle cap 2 is depicted in FIG. 6.FIG. 6 is a side view of the bottle cap 2 with a partial cut awayshowing the inside surfaces of the bottle cap 2 and ratchet ring 8. Theratchet ring 8 is maintained nearly flush to the bottom surface 44 ofthe bottle cap 2, but is characterized in that at least one portion ofthe band 50 is stepped down. As before, every other ratchet tooth 12 ais frangibly attached to the tabs 10 by frangible connections 46.However, the band 50 has at least one stepped-down portion 56, each ofwhich are preferably characterized by two ramped segments 52 and a topsurface 54. There is at least one stepped down tooth 12 b placed on theinside surface of the stepped-down portion 56, each having a height “b.”The remaining teeth 12 a have a height “a” which is greater than height“b.” Therefore, a gap is formed between the bottom surface 44 of the cap2 and the top surface 54 of the stepped-down portion 56 to facilitateengagement between the teeth 12 b and the projection 28 by interference.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a top view of the bottle neck 14 is shown withthe second embodiment of the modified bottle cap 2 installed. FIG. 7shows every other ratchet tooth 12 a frangibly connected 46 to the tabs10 of the bottle cap 2. While only one stepped down tooth 12 b isnecessary, it is preferable that every fourth tooth is a stepped-downtooth 12 b, as shown in the Figure. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 7,there are two projections 28 which have a length appropriately sized andlocated to engage only with the top surface of two of the stepped-downteeth 12 b. Special attention may be necessary during application of thebottle cap 2 to the bottle neck 14 to ensure that the projections 28 areappropriately aligned with the stepped-down portions 56.

While the projections 28 described herein is preferred to be located onthe bottle neck 14, in an alternative embodiment, the projection 28 maybe located on the inside surface of the ratchet ring 8. The projectionwould engage with any portion of the outside surface of the bottle neck14, including the external surface 20 (which includes the stepped outportion 38) and the ratchet portions 24, by friction or interference.

The projections 28 of the present invention, whether located on thebottle neck 14 or on the ratchet ring 8, are not limited to anyparticular shape or location. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, thereare two projections 28 which are formed as lips which extend outwardfrom the bottle neck 14. The projections 28 preferably share a commoncross-sectional plane as the ratchet portions 24, of which there arepreferably two portions. However, the projection 28 may be above orbelow the ratchet portion. Preferably, the ratchet portions 24 and theprojections 28 alternate around the periphery of the bottle neck, withthe two projections 28 diametrically opposite each other and the ratchetportions 24 diametrically opposite each other. Alternatively, theprojection 28 can be incorporated into the ratchet portions 24 on thebottle neck or into the ratchet ring 8. For example, the projection 28can be incorporated into one or more of the ratchet teeth 26 or 12 oneither the bottle neck or the ratchet ring, respectively. The projection28 can also take form as an enlarged ratchet tooth 26 or 12, either onthe bottle neck or on the ratchet ring, respectively. Alternatively, theprojection 28 can be incorporated into one or more of the valleysbetween the ratchet teeth 26 or 12 on either the bottle neck or theratchet ring, respectively, by decreasing the depth of the valley.

Although the inventions described and claimed herein have been describedin considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventions described andclaimed herein can be practiced by other than the preferred embodiments,which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not oflimitation. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claimsshould not be limited to the description of the preferred embodimentscontained herein.

1. A bottle neck adapted to engage with a cap having an offset ratchetring comprising: an opening at an upper end of the neck; an exteriorsurface having at least one thread adapted to engage with the cap; atleast one ratchet portion disposed on the exterior surface below the atleast one thread, wherein the at least one ratchet portion has at leastone ratchet tooth and is adapted to engage with the ratchet ring; and,at least one projection disposed on the exterior surface below the atleast one thread, wherein the at least one projection is adapted to holdthe ratchet ring on the bottle neck after the cap is removed from thebottle neck.
 2. The bottle neck of claim 1 further comprising the caphaving the ratchet ring.
 3. The bottle neck of claim 1 wherein the atleast one projection has a chamfered top edge.
 4. The bottle neck ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one projection is formed by a lip.
 5. Thebottle neck of claim 1 wherein the at least one projection is formed byat least one enlarged ratchet tooth.
 6. The bottle neck of claim 1wherein there are two diametrically opposite projections and twodiametrically opposite ratchet portions.
 7. The bottle neck of claim 1wherein the at least one projection is adapted to hold the ratchet ringon the bottle neck by friction.
 8. The bottle neck of claim 7 whereinthe at least one projection is adapted to contact an inside surface ofthe ratchet ring.
 9. The bottle neck of claim 8 wherein the insidesurface is a tip of a ratchet tooth.
 10. The bottle neck of claim 1wherein the at least one projection is adapted to hold the ratchet ringon the bottle neck by interference.
 11. The bottle neck of claim 10wherein the at least one projection is adapted to contact an uppersurface of the ratchet ring when the ratchet ring is moved axially alongthe bottle neck.
 12. The bottle neck of claim 1 wherein the at least oneprojection and the at least one ratchet portion are in approximately asame cross-sectional plane.
 13. In combination, a bottle neck and abottle cap: the bottle cap comprising a circular cover, a skirtdepending from the periphery of the cover, the skirt including aninterior surface having at least one thread, and a tamper evidencingratchet ring frangibly connected below the skirt, wherein the ratchetring has at least one ratchet tooth; the bottle neck comprising anopening at an upper end of the neck, an exterior surface having at leastone corresponding thread, at least one ratchet portion disposed on theexterior surface below the at least one corresponding thread, whereinthe at least one ratchet portion has at least one corresponding ratchettooth which is adapted to engage with the at least one ratchet tooth ofthe cap when the cap is placed on the bottle neck, and at least oneprojection disposed on the exterior surface below the at least onethread, wherein the at least one projection is adapted to hold theratchet ring on the bottle neck after the cap is removed from the bottleneck.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the at least oneprojection has a chamfered top edge.
 15. The combination of claim 13wherein the at least one projection is formed by a lip.
 16. Thecombination of claim 13 wherein the at least one projection is adaptedto hold the ratchet ring on the bottle neck by friction.
 17. Thecombination of claim 13 wherein the at least one projection is adaptedto hold the ratchet ring on the bottle neck by interference.
 18. Thecombination of claim 13 wherein the at least one projection and the atleast one ratchet portion are in approximately a same cross-sectionalplane.
 19. The combination of claim 13 wherein there are twodiametrically opposite projections and two diametrically oppositeratchet portions.
 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein: the ratchetring has a plurality of inward facing ratchet teeth, each having a tip;the plurality of tips defining a first diameter; the two projectionseach having an outside edge; the distance between the two outside edgesdefining a second diameter; and, the second diameter is greater than thefirst diameter.
 21. The combination of claim 20 wherein the at least oneprojection is adapted to hold the ratchet ring on the bottle neck byfriction.
 22. The combination of claim 20 wherein the at least oneprojection is adapted to hold the ratchet ring on the bottle neck byinterference.
 23. In combination, a bottle neck and a bottle cap: thebottle cap being molded from a two plate mold; the bottle cap comprisinga circular cover, a skirt depending from the periphery of the cover, theskirt including an interior surface having at least one thread, and atamper evidencing ratchet ring frangibly connected below the skirt,wherein the ratchet ring has a plurality of ratchet teeth; the bottleneck comprising an opening at an upper end of the neck, an exteriorsurface having at least one corresponding thread, two diametricallyopposite ratchet portions disposed on the exterior surface below the atleast one corresponding thread, wherein each ratchet portion has aplurality of corresponding ratchet teeth which are adapted to engagewith the plurality of ratchet teeth of the cap when the cap is placed onthe bottle neck, and two diametrically opposite projections disposed onthe exterior surface below the at least one thread, wherein the twoprojections are adapted to hold the ratchet ring on the bottle neckafter the cap is removed from the bottle neck.